New Delhi: Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma has created history by becoming the first woman non-medical officer in the Indian Armed Forces to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal or equivalent.
Sharma assumed charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters on September 1, 2026.
Commissioned into the Indian Air Force Education Branch in 1994, she has served in various training establishments, field stations, command headquarters and Air Headquarters. She has also led initiatives to strengthen academic and defence collaboration, including the establishment of IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Pune University.
She was earlier the first woman officer from the three services to command a Sainik School, serving as principal of Sainik School, Kapurthala.
Her elevation marks a significant milestone for women officers in the Indian Defence Forces after more than three decades of distinguished service.
